bearded woodpecker

Birds of Namibia

Introduction: Bearded
woodpeckers (Dendropicos namaquus) are common in open deciduous woodland
and savannah habitats such as mopane trees. They avoid timber plantations and
evergreen forests. Pairs remain together all year round but are distant foragers
often amongst other woodpeckers. Will roost in a solitary hole at night and will
move behind a branch at the first sign of danger.

Description: Largest of the
tree woodpeckers in southern African with distinctive black forehead and
forecrown.

Breeding: Females produce a
single brood per year consisting of 1 to 3 eggs laid in a hole in the trunk or
dead stem of a large tree. Eggs are produced between April and December with an
incubation period of 13 days with male and female operating a shift system every
20 to 70min.